Comment Summary

According to the Accreditation Council for CME (ACCME), total medical industry support for Continuing Medical Education (CME) rose 8% from 2004 to 2007, to nearly $1.2 billion, http://www.mmm-online.com/Pharma-pursued-safe-haven-for-its-CME-spend-last-year/article/24565/. Should the medical industry stop funding continuing medical education?
#	Response Date	Other (please specify)
1.	6/11/2008 2:09:00 PM	doctors in practice can use/need the $ support
2.	6/12/2008 12:58:00 AM	I do not understand what the problem is here. Does the ACCME really think that physicians will use their declining income (i.e., Medicare) to attend as much CME that they do now, with Pharma support? The real question is the objectivity of the thought leaders who present at these industry sponsored CME. My experience is that most national thought leaders who present at industry-sponsored CME are objective and are not biased. It usually is readily apparent when this is not the case.
3.	6/12/2008 11:59:00 AM	Once again, pooling of contributions to support meetings and in house CME, and complete control of content by the medical society or institution should prevent significant influence over prescribing practice.
4.	6/12/2008 7:46:00 PM	Just noting the relationship on the Website will not stop the corruption
5.	6/19/2008 1:24:00 AM	The government should fund CME
6.	6/23/2008 3:40:00 PM	Tax the medical industry for support of CME.
7.	6/26/2008 2:07:00 AM	I think food and very limited small gifts (pens, etc.) are fair game to listen to a pitch, not much more.
8.	6/26/2008 2:26:00 AM	I think food and very limited small gifts (pens, etc.) are fair game to listen to a pitch, not much more.